Audi's new gesture-controlled volume system in its A2 model has sparked controversy among critics who claim that it is too erotic and may even encourage improper behavior. The carmaker claims that the volume levels are set to musician Eric Clapton's "Layla," but some observers believe the choice was more intentional than that. They argue that the volume gesture resembles a handjob, with the index finger moving up and down in sync with the beat. This could easily lead to misinterpretation, especially given how sensitive and suggestive the music video for the song is. It shows a young woman dancing around a house, dressed scantily in lingerie, while her lover plays guitar and sings about his desire for her. It seems that Audi has taken cues from this scene when designing the gesture-controlled volume system. But what psychological principles underlie this feature?

The psychosexual theory of Sigmund Freud suggests that human beings experience sexual arousal based on the objects or situations they encounter.

If someone sees a beautiful woman, their body will respond with increased heart rate and blood flow to certain areas. If someone drives a luxury sports car like an Audi R8, they may also feel a surge of adrenaline as they take control of the vehicle. In fact, there have been studies showing that people who drive sports cars tend to be more sexually active than those who do not. It's possible that the same principle applies here. By making the volume gesture seem erotic, Audi may be appealing to customers' natural desires to explore their sexuality through automobiles.

Critics say that this feature could lead to confusion among drivers. Since many people are already turned off by the thought of being distracted while driving, it would be easy to interpret the gesture incorrectly. And even if a driver understands what it means, they might still find themselves aroused without realizing it. This could lead to dangerous situations where drivers are tempted to turn up the volume inappropriately while behind the wheel. To avoid such issues, Audi should consider offering a non-erotic alternative like voice commands or touchscreen controls.